The delay in the publication of the US September employment report due to the government shutdown may become an unexpected factor for the markets. For the crypto industry, this event is particularly significant — the direction of capital flows depends on the decisions of the Federal Reserve System.
The Shutdown Paralyzed Statistics
On October 1, due to the lack of agreement between the Republican and Democratic parties in the US, a shutdown began. This means that a number of federal agencies, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), have temporarily suspended operations.
The publication of the employment report, scheduled for October 10, has been postponed indefinitely.
Now the Fed is deprived of one of its key benchmarks ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which will take place on October 28–29. It is then that the central bank will decide on the interest rate. The absence of up-to-date employment data complicates the regulator’s task — it will have to assess economic dynamics using indirect indicators.
Impact on the Market and Rates
The Fed’s decision will be decisive for the direction of capital flows.
If the regulator decides to lower the rate, the cryptocurrency market may receive a powerful influx of liquidity.
Otherwise — a short-term pause in growth and increased investor caution is likely.
Analysts warn that uncertainty around the American economy is pushing investors toward safe haven assets. Gold, silver, and bitcoin traditionally become beneficiaries during such periods.
Crypto Assets Strengthen the Role of a ‘Safe Harbor’
BitcoinIRA co-founder Chris Kline noted that political instability in the US undermines confidence in the dollar and strengthens interest in alternative assets.
“In conditions where the government regularly shuts down due to budget disputes, gold, silver, and bitcoin look like more reliable stores of value,” he said.
The forecast proved correct: just a few days after the start of the shutdown, bitcoin reached a new all-time high at $125,802. This confirms its status as a safe haven asset during periods of uncertainty.
What’s Next?
The lack of employment data complicates the assessment of the US economy and increases market volatility. For crypto investors, the upcoming Fed meeting will be a key moment.
If the central bank decides to support liquidity, bitcoin and other assets may continue to grow. But if tight monetary policy is maintained, the market will likely take a pause.
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